Lonnie Spain Cox Jr.

Lonnie Spain Cox, Jr., 90, of Cookeville, passed away on Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2020, at Bailey Manor. He was born August 3, 1929, in Nashville, to the late Edna Mae Casto and Lonnie Spain Cox, Sr. Lonnie attended Howard High School in Nashville and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. After working for the State of Tennessee for a short time, he worked most of his career for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Lonnie and Allene, his wife of more than 66 years, lived in many different communities throughout Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi during his career with TVA, where he managed the construction of steam and nuclear plants. In his younger years, he enjoyed fishing, camping, water skiing, andspending time at the lake. After his retirement, Lonnie and Allene settled in Cookeville in 1991 to live near their daughter and her family. He enjoyed reading, and he was an avid runner. Lonnie missed very few of his grandchildren’s school events, ball games, or graduations and had a quiet dedication to his family and friends. He was a member of Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Lonnie's family includes one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Beth Cox of Apopka, Florida; one daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Bob Brooksbank of Cookeville; four grandchildren, Derek Cox and wife, Lorin, of Jupiter, Florida; Jeremy Brooksbank of Cleveland, Ohio; Lauren Cox and fiancé, Chris Kowal, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Aaron Brooksbank and wife, Laura, of Salt Lake City, Utah; an anticipated great-granddaughter, Evelynne “Evie” Elizabeth Cox due July 31; sister-in-law Bobbi McCall of Mt. Juliet; sister-in-law Juanita Jett of Goodlettsville; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Aubrey Allene Jett Cox; his son, Ronnie Allen Cox; and a sister, Pauline Clark. The family would like to give special thanks to his loving caregivers for the past several years — Peggy Woodel, Vickie Lee, Gail Carr, and Dianne Brown — who cared for him with love and became special friends to him in his later years. Special thanks also goes to the staff at Bailey Manor, who cared for him with love and respect. Lonnie’s family will celebrate his life at a later date to be determined. His remains will be inurned along with his wife’s at the Memorial Garden Columbarium at the Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation in his memory is asked to contribute to a charity of your choice. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (931-526-6111)